so the final question for Elliott at Salvation Army Gilmore Rd Fort Erie was, what do they do to prevent this from happening in the future (disconnection notices, and disconnected utilities for low income families?)

Overall our budget here in Fort ERie is $100,000 a year to help low income families get their utilities back on should they have financial difficulties in paying the full amounts of their bills.

The average hydro heating bill in FORT Erie and surrounding areas – Crystal Beach and Ridgeway is $700 a month per family.

With only 4% or $400 as a maximum, these families still have hardships trying to pay the extra.

ODSP only gives up to $715 a month for RENT and Utilities combined. Which as you all know is RIDICULOUS! Since the Average Rents for a one bedroom apartment is $800 – $1000 a month and that’s for a fixer upper!

Since Rents are so high, it’s a usual merry go round of utility bills always being late in payments, and the stress of having to keep your heat turned down just so you can afford it, never mind some of the MAJOR issues here in Fort ERie.

I found out 3 families this week turned their heat down to afford it better and then guess what? Their water pipes froze! Some burst! That’s not good. I say those homes need to be insulated in the walls and the PIPES so let’s ADD that onto our “landlord to do list” for a new law to be passed to make sure any RENTAL home, office is properly insulated. An inspectors should be called in to check and make sure the hydro wiring is up to par, not at 60 amp service (you cannot hook up a modern heater to it, the amps shut down constantly at the box and it’s very annoying and a FIRE hazard.)

Let’s get the Landlord and TEnant Act to enforce these laws, along with Bi Law INspectors and Construction Persons’ that can help with the inspections too.

back to the interview – sorry it’s friday rabbit trail linny day! 🙂

Elliott assures me there doing what is called a “sustainability” income check.
Amount of INcome VS ALL house expenses to see why people cannot afford to pay their utility bills.

it has to be balanced. 🙂

OW Ontario works helps with moving expenses if you live in a place you cannot afford to pay utilities for – in low income person’s situations. GOOD to know!

You can call Elliott at the Salvation Army to find out more about the programs available to you and to book an appointment should you need assistance.

Sure not everyone likes to talk about their budget to anyone, but it will change the way you live. Your bills will be paid, NO STRESS! No Worries, or having to pack and move if you cannot afford it.

and hopefully our Government will consider these ideas of mine and implement them, to make all your lives happier and more relaxed!

God Bless all of you. Take care of yourselves and your friends, family and neighbors, make sure no one goes without. 😉

I’ll blog it here (my ideas) and then send an email with the links to these ideas.

I’ve been talking about my interview with Elliott at the Salvation Army on Gilmore Rd in Fort Erie Ontario Canada – about developing a program where the government pays for utilities for low income families, so they will only be responsible to pay their rents. This idea is to reduce the 8 year waiting list for affordable housing for low income persons and families.

Now as for Stats. I wanted to find out just how many families spend 100,000 a year on disconnects, and disconnected utility accounts for WATER, GAS, Hydro and other heating sources (sorry forgot to mention it before – propane, oil and wood heating bills).

my notes say
Monthly report is sent only to FUNDERS
from different agencies
ie. Town of Fort Erie, Niagara Region of Funders , no business or commercial

United Way Greater Simcoe County – handles the LEAP program for Enbridge for ALL of Ontario.
Data for clients in (Leap Ontario only)